Iran-Transit-Commodities
Transit of goods via Iran increased by ten percent during March 20-May 20, director of Transit and Border Terminal Office said on Wednesday.

"Over 909,739 tons of non-oil goods went on transit via Iran during the said period," Mohammad Javad Atrchian said.

He also put the volume of oil and non-oil commodities at 12,219 tons during March 2007-March 2008, indicating a one-percent increase compared to the figure for the previous year.

"Cotton, fuel, construction materials, foodstuffs and household appliances were the main items which were sent on transit via Iran," he added.

Referring to the important role of the East-West Corridor in the transit of oil and non-oil commodities, Atrchian observed that the corridor should be further activated.

According to the official, over five million passengers crossed the border checkpoints mainly Mehran, Bazargan.

"At present, some 24 border crossings except Kileh in Sardasht (West Azarbaijan) and Yazdan in South Khorasan are in operation," he said.

The official added that equipping and developing border terminals are on the Road and Transport Ministry's agenda.

Atrchian said that over 280 billion rials have been set aside for developing and equipping border terminals across the country.